White Stallion Ranch

White Stallion Ranch covers 3,000 acres of Sonoran Desert on the northwest side of Tucson and shares a two-mile border with Saguaro National Park West, so half-day and all-day rides head straight into the park among the giant saguaros. Cynthia and Allen True bought the ranch in 1965, and the second and third generations of the True family run it today.

It is a big, lively ranch, with room for about 100 guests, more than 150 horses and a herd of around 100 cattle. Riding is the core of every day: slow and fast trail rides, mountain rides, team penning and cattle sorting in the arena, and a weekly exhibition rodeo. Children under 5 can do lead-line rides, ages 5 and up join slow trail rides, and from age 8 riders who pass a riding test can join the faster, mountain and all-day rides. There is no supervised children’s program, so families ride and explore together.

Away from the horses there is archery, rock climbing, hiking, axe throwing and desert biking, plus a heated pool and hot tub, fitness center, spa, saloon, petting zoo and nightly entertainment. Guests stay in casitas, from standard rooms to family and deluxe suites.

The ranch is open all year, and its Full American Plan covers lodging, meals, riding and activities; bar drinks, spa treatments and group riding lessons are extra, and a 15% gratuity and tax are added. Published rates run from about $179 to $278 per adult per night in summer and $281 to $411 in winter, with a two-night minimum in summer and four nights in winter. Tucson International Airport is about 45 minutes away, and the ranch shuttle costs $25 per person.